Hydrophobically Modified Polymer Absorbent Assemblies
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Absorbent articles face issues with re-wet and leakage due to surface tension reduction by surfactants, which impair their ability to effectively absorb and retain body exudates without causing flowback towards the user's skin.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a hydrophobically modified polymer that interacts with surfactants in an aqueous solution to increase surface tension, reducing the likelihood of re-wet and leakage by treating components such as the bodyside liner and absorbent body with these polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surfactant is used to reduce surface tension of aqueous solution, then intake of body exudate is improved, but re-wet and leakage increase
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobically modified polymer is introduced as an intermediary substance that interacts with the surfactant in the aqueous solution. This polymer modifies the surfactant's effect by increasing the solution's surface tension while preserving the wetting benefits, thereby preventing re-wet and leakage without compromising intake performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surface tension parameter of the aqueous solution by adding a hydrophobically modified polymer. This polymer increases the surface tension of the surfactant-containing solution, transforming the solution's properties to reduce re-wet and leakage while maintaining adequate wetting for exudate intake
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The increased surface tension effectively minimizes re-wet and leakage from absorbent articles, enhancing their ability to absorb and retain body exudates while maintaining a dry feel for the wearer.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrophobically modified polymer can be configured to interact with the surfactant upon wetting of the absorbent article when the surfactant and the hydrophobically modified polymer are in an aqueous solution to increase surface tension of the aqueous solution
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbent article can include a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover. The bodyside liner can be treated with a surfactant. A component of the absorbent article can be treated with a hydrophobically modified polymer. The hydrophobically modified polymer can be configured to interact with the surfactant upon wetting of the absorbent article when the surfactant and the hydrophobically modified polymer are in an aqueous solution to increase surface tension of the aqueous solution.